Life After Braces

YOUR TEETH WILL NOT STAY STRAIGHT WITHOUT RETAINERS

Just because your braces are removed, it does not mean your treatment is over, you have moved to the “retention” phase of orthodontics.  The only way to maintain that beautiful smile is by wearing retainers. 

1. WEAR RETAINERS AS DIRECTED

   24 hour wear for at least the first three months is a must to hold your teeth in position. After three months you should be able to wear your removable retainer just at night.  Don’t remove your retainer to talk in class or on the phone and you will get used to talking with a retainer just like you did braces.    Most retainers are lost when they are taken out to eat, so you should try to eat with your retainer in your mouth. If you remove your retainer to eat, the only place you should put it is in your case. Do not wrap it up in a napkin as it will get thrown in the trash by mistake.

    

2. KEEP THEM CLEAN

   Remove your retainer to brush your teeth and brush your retainer also.  Soaking it in denture cleaner is also a good way to keep it clean. 

    

3. HANDLE THEM WITH CARE

   Do not put it in your pocket or purse because they can get bent easily, and definitely, do not leave a retainer lying around with pets in the house, they love to chew them up. 

    

4. BE CAREFUL                                                                                                                                                                               If you lose or break your retainer, please don’t wait to call us.Your teeth may move and this could require wearing your retainer 24/7 for a long time to re-align your teeth.If they move too much we may not be able to re-align them with a retainer at all.

5. YOUR TEETH CAN STAY STRAIGHT FOREVER

   A glued in retainer should be left in place indefinitely and replaced if broken.  They will not damage the teeth or gums and are vitally important in maintaining the alignment of both the upper and lower teeth.

20 Year follow-up Paper